When Sophie Rhys-Jones first entered the royal fold nearly 27 years ago, the late Queen Elizabeth described her as someone 'you wouldn't notice in a crowd.' Yet the Duchess of Edinburgh has undergone a dramatic transformation and is now widely perceived as one of the most fashionable members of the Firm, known for showcasing effortlessly chic looks with a hint of royal glamour.
Sophie married Prince Edward, the youngest of the late Queen's four children, in June 1999. Their fairytale Windsor wedding was watched by an astounding 200 million viewers across the globe. While Sophie, now 61, is easily synonymous with high-end fashion, the former PR executive had a noticeably slow introduction to the image expected of a senior working royal.
Her impeccable taste was showcased like no other when she stepped out in London's Hyde Park on Sunday to honour the 102nd Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association. Serving in her role as the Royal Colonel of the Queen's Own Yeomanry, a position she has held since 2023, Sophie opted for a striking Kalonique Wrap Coat Dress in pale blue, paired with a Jane Taylor Millinery fedora hat and Jimmy Choo shoes. To add a unique element, the royal selected a snakeskin bag to carry her belongings for the poignant appearance.
However, while the stylish outfit certainly turned heads, there was once a profound era when Sophie's outfits were not quite as well received. Before she married Prince Edward, Sophie was frequently seen wearing 'corporate-chic' outfits comprising business suits and wide blazers. Working as a PR professional in London, she sought to combine her pre-existing professional life with her fashion endeavours, which were now being scrutinised in the public eye.
In one instance, Sophie was seen showcasing a polka dot dress and cream clutch as she arrived at the Dorchester Polo March in Windsor in June 1996. Captured while walking through the streets of London to work in 1993, Sophie opted for a white blazer jacket over a black skirt and tights, a look that now seems a world away from the luxury fashion items she dons regularly.
Celebrity stylist Clare Chambers previously told The Daily Mail: 'There was a time when Sophie dressed purely for function. It wasn't about style, it was about getting the job done.' She added that as Sophie's role grew, so did her reliance on couture and custom-made pieces, shifting her from relatable to regal.
Indeed, in recent months, royal fans have praised Sophie for her glamorous and forward-thinking style choices. In March, the Duchess made a surprise appearance at a gala to celebrate the legacy of Dr Jane Goodall, stunning in a flowing, floor-length Zimmermann gown with floral patterns, fit with a flattering belt. To accessorise, she opted for a small clutch bag and statement jewellery pieces that perfectly accentuated her blonde locks.
The following month, the Duchess unveiled a new portrait of herself by painter Sara Jane Parsons in London while dressed in an elegant black Prada blazer and white pleated midi skirt. Adding a further touch of elegance, Sophie chose a pair of nude Jimmy Choo heels—the Rosalia 65 Ballet Pink Patent Pointed pumps. To finish off the look, she added a Sophie Habsburg clutch and earrings by Giulia Barela.
While the more sophisticated blazer look may draw comparisons to her previous fashion favourites, there is a marked difference in the intentional selection of designer pieces that contrast with the more relaxed look she opted for in the late 1990s. According to Ms Chambers, Sophie has often taken a leaf out of Kate's style book by recreating some of her most iconic looks over the years.
'It is clear that Kate is the style mentor to Sophie and the benchmark for what to wear,' explained Ms Chambers. 'What is interesting is that the outfits which have been copied are the looks that have been praised in the press. There is definitely a pattern of which styles have been recreated.' She continued: 'Sophie has taken the most popular of Kate's looks as a blueprint of what is liked, from the colour to the shape and style. From this, she appears to have created a roadmap of what works in each environment, using that as a pillar for her fashion choices.'
'If you look at them side by side, there are moments where Sophie feels like Kate's sartorial sister,' Ms Chambers observed. She added that, unlike Kate, who took a while to build her royal wardrobe, Sophie has moved away from affordable, high-street brands in a swift and decisive manner. Explaining how such a shift was intentional, Ms Chambers said: 'One way to assert her new position as Duchess was to carefully choose an image that articulates the person she is now, and the Princess of Wales is the perfect model of this. Sophie knows the value of looking polished at this level. Where Kate had to grow into the role, Sophie has been watching from the sidelines, taking notes and keeping a very close eye on what works.'
